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Betty found joy in many simple but meaningful things.

Betty Lee Ford, née Claycomb, passed away on September 21, 2026. She was born on December 28, 1931, in Vincennes, Indiana.

Betty completed her high school education in 1950 at Bridgeport, Illinois High School. During her school years, she received several honors in reading, spelling, and perfect attendance.

After her marriage to George Ford, Betty held several jobs and worked to help support his educational pursuits. She said her favorite job was as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone in Hammond, Indiana. After her two sons came along, she became an excellent mom and homemaker.  Later, when George became a State Farm Insurance agent in Decatur, Illinois, Betty worked alongside him, helping with secretarial duties. Her steady support and willingness to serve her family in practical ways were enduring marks of her life.

Betty found joy in many simple but meaningful things. She loved reading Christian books and the Bible, and she liked to keep up on the news and learn about U.S. history. She took interior decorating classes and enjoyed maintaining a neat, clean, and organized house. She also found happiness in caring for others, whether by driving friends to appointments or taking short trips with them. In her later years, as she lived with dementia, her son read to her, and in that time she continued to be surrounded by the comfort of words she had always cherished.

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Her steady support and willingness to serve her family in practical ways were enduring marks of her life.

She will be remembered especially for her wonderful sense of humor and her quick wit. She was always ready with a smile and an encouraging word, and she always “got the joke” even when George did not. The staff at The Views of Marion often complimented Betty on her sense of humor, her sweet disposition, and her beautiful blue eyes. Along with the many things she did in life, she took great pride in the accomplishments of her family, which remained one of her deepest joys.

Betty is survived by her son, Kirk Ford, and daughter-in-law Sheryl Ford of Marion, Iowa; and by daughter-in-law Rhonda Ford of Wellington, Colorado. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Kindra Ford and Dustin Hatten of Carr, Colorado, Kyle Ford and Shannon of Fort Collins, Colorado, Tyler Ford and Bekah of Warrenville, Illinois, and Lily Ford of Marion, Iowa. Her legacy continues as well in her great-grandchildren, Lucy, Zoe, Levi, Jackson, Zeek, Remi, and Josie. She is also lovingly remembered by her nieces Pam Semple, Brenda Nesler, Glenda Rotramel, and Linda Patton; and by her nephews J.V. Tewell, Mike Tewell, and Fred Mahin Jr.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George V. Ford; her son, Gregory M. Ford; her father, Adron Claycomb; her mother, Alberta Claycomb; her sister June Tewell and June’s husband, Vernon Tewell; her sister Carol Mahin and Carol’s husband, Fred Mahin Sr.; and her niece Cinda Lewis and nephew Melvin Mahin.

Betty’s life was marked by faith, humor, devotion, and quiet strength. She gave encouragement freely, took pride in those she loved, and left behind memories of kindness, intelligence, and warmth that will remain with her family and friends always.